EK Plating, finally some news

[Lanboy]

News

Nickel Plating Issues - 30/05/2011
I would like to announce that we got the test results from renown independent institution, which we contacted for solution on situation with nickel-plating issues. I would like to be clear in one thing, it took 2 month for the institution to make tests as any test with nickel is a long term project, if you want to be thorough.

We are now in process of translation.
We will put that report on our page in 2-3 days.

There were allot of confusion and lack of argumented information so we were really looking forward for the results of the study and let me just say for now, we were very surprised with the results.

Edvard König

News | EkWaterBlocks

[Lanboy]

Judging by the statement they found something they was not aware of, what is that pic, impurity?, contamination ? I will not be surprise the nickel was contaminated with copper, it’s happen in the plating industry, a quick search on Google and I found this.

http://www.finishing.com/569/98.shtml

And this will explain why the plating is dissolving instead of peeling, if so it’s good news and bad news, it’ means there is a chance that not all block are contaminated. Let’s wait few day for the final translation.

[Varroa]

So am I safe to assume that my non-plated EK copper block is immune to this problem then?

[Lanboy]

Originally Posted by Varroa

So am I safe to assume that my non-plated EK copper block is immune to this problem then?

As long as you use some anti-corrosive (should say anti-oxidant) stuff you are good. But something tell me the next EK block will be bullet proof

[CTA]

it would be fine if i use distilled water with pure silver killcoil?

own one supremem hf (non-nickel version)

[Lanboy]

Originally Posted by CTA

it would be fine if i use distilled water with pure silver killcoil?

own one supremem hf (non-nickel version)

Distillate water vs anti-corrosive stuff, big debate;
Personally I use the stuff Daz sell, fezer one without dye and black tubing to avoid algae problem, even if peoples use Distillate water, you still have a chance to have silicate in the water, unless you use a special DI cartridge to remove them, the silicate are one of the principal nutrient of algae. Algae need light also, So you cut the light or the food or you kill them ( silver coil), if you use Distillate water make sure it's triple distillate, not all Distillate water are the same
But silver do nothing for the oxidation of copper.

[Lanboy]

To come back to the subject; I'm anxious to have the final word of EK on it, I don’t like to remove block, especially on the motherboard just to check, they are not leaking for now, but chance are if I play with them I can make a mistake a create a leak. I’m thinking to order a chemical to detect copper in water, far more easy than disable a block, it’s for aquarium, the problem is to have a reference, what is the level acceptable in a loop

Here an example of the test :

Copper Mini Lab

[KylSp]

If the final word has anything to do with blaming the coolant customers are using in their loops (which ranges from plain distilled to premix and everything between), there is going to be hell to pay.

[Lanboy]

Originally Posted by KylSp

If the final word has anything to do with blaming the coolant customers are using in their loops (which ranges from plain distilled to premix and everything between), there is going to be hell to pay.

the problem I can see is the dowm time for X weeks if we have to send our block to Slovakia unless it's the resellers who gone take care of the exchange. I was not worry for the small Intel financial problem with their 1155 board , but EK is a small company.

[codeman]

When you're running water through metal blocks such as copper, nickel plated copper, and brass you're going to have corrosion over a period of time - especially without specific corrosion inhibitors in conjunction with your distilled water. Water erodes everything in its path over time in nature. Why would it be any different in a loop if you think about it logically. No metal is 100% resistive, everything eventually breaks down. Especially when you take into consideration that each one of these components are dipped in chemical baths for cleaning, plating, some copper blocks have a coating to help protect their shine... flux is used in the radiators, brass itself is not a 'noble metal' and is actually an alloy of copper and Zinc etc. etc. Who's to say there's not a chemical reaction that has been over-looked? No manufacturer is 100% perfect - look at everything you own and buy outside of this gear; the difference between some manufacturers and others is their base level of attention and detail in products. To this degree, I think EK is doing a good job and I'm sure the information they present will be viable. Of course... I can't wait for those who don't believe anything other than EK is trying to screw its customers over :)

Touchy subject for sure! Though I can almost 100% assure you this is due to corrosion, and not simply flaking of a poor nickel plating job -- don't be surprised when people get up in arms because they don't like the conclusion. If you compare the base and overall design of an EK block with other manufacturers, you'll see that they are one of the better guys - it's apparent when you hold up a couple side-by-side; though I would reiterate... these are hobby level products. Not exactly in the same class as a water cooled Google server farm using dirty and salty sea water, nor does it need to be :)